The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-07-21
Washington LETTER
ur regular correspondent.


WASHINGTON, D. G. July, IS, 1887,
The salutary effects of the lesson
taught by the recent exposure of the
rascalities OF Bacon in the Patent
Office, and Harvey in the Treasury,
are perceptible in many ways. The
hands of Bureaus are most dilligent
and yigilant, as well as exacting
regarding the method of conduct
ing the public business, and the
clerks appreciate the state of az
fairs by increased activity and
thoroughness in performing their al
loted task
Postmaster General Villas was part
ly engaged this week in the much
needed work of revising the postal
regulation, which have not been
amended since 1887. The Postmas-
ter General also found time to reply,
in the negative to the postal clerks
asking permission to hold a conveA-
ton to discuss the needs of the service,
and advising them that proper way to
secure those aims and ends would be
to make such suggestions to the De-
partment as might occur to them in
the practical performance of their du.
ties.
To prove that President Cleveland,
who has probably received more abuse
and adverse criticism from the sol
diers than any of his predecessors, is
really their best friend, having done
better by them than any other Presi-
dent, it is only necessary to the re-
cords of the Pension Office. During
the first two years of his term, Presi-
dent Cleveland has approved 863 pri-
vate pension bills, Gen. Grant in eight
years only approved 485, Hayes in
four years, 1903, and Garfield and Au-
thor but 736 in the same time. In adj
dition to this, President Cleveland has
approved three general pension bills.
March 10Th, 1886, increasing to twelve
dollars the pensions of 79,797 widows,
minors and dependent relative of I'm.
ion soldiers August 4th, 1886, increas-
ing the pensions of 10000 infrm and
manned Union soldiers ofthe civil wal
from $24 to $50, from $50 to $36, and
$37, 80 to S45 per month. The act
of Jan. 9th, 1887 which has al
ready placed upon the pension rolls
S,455 survivors Of the Mexican War and
their widows, and during the present
fiscal year that number will be in
creased at least $4,000, The Pension
Office records demonstrate beyond the
shade of doubt, the assertion of Re
publican correspondents to the con
traly Notwithstanding, that 131, 1SC
more certificates of pensions were is
sued during the first two years of /
democratic Administration that dur
ing the last two years of Republican
control. And during the same time
the sum distributed to pensioners by
the Democrats exceeds by $16617,
026, 90 the amount distributed by thu
Republicans for the same purpose ant
time. 1t is also susceptible of proc
that in the matter OF new names ad
ded to the pension list, the Clevelan,
Administration is 15,403 names ahea,
of the last two years of the Republican
regime Such strong arguments a
these are sufficient to put to shame tn
Republican charge that Presiden
| Cleveland and the Democracy ar
unfriendly to the soldiers of the Tn
Y ion,
The discussing officers of the Trea,
ury were somewhat surprised the otf
=, er morning when a duly authorize
committee ofexport accountants ealle
4 unceremoniously to count their cas-